Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On May 18, 2002, at 1643 mountain daylight time, a Tolman Kitfox 6 home-built, N3079H, was substantially damaged following departure off the right side of runway 31, at Montrose Regional Airport, Montrose, Colorado. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal, cross-country flight that was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot said that he was taking off and had just become airborne. A gust of wind struck him from the left rear (200 degrees for 25 knots), and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The airplane subsequently rotated approximately 180 degrees to the left, causing the right main gear to be folded back and bending the empennage approximately 80 degrees to the left. The density altitude was calculated to be 8,344 feet. the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff initial climb. A contributing factor was the gusting left tailwind weather condition.